WRESTLING: Eagles gain redemption

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 20, 2017 9:57 AM

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GREENSBORO -- Redemption.

A selfless act.

Two rewards -- one unexpected.

After a heart-breaking loss to Robbinsville in the dual-team state 1-A final, Rosewood did what it normally does -- regroup, refocus and get after it on the mat in the wrestling room.

Nine state qualifiers helped the Eagles combined for 106.5 points and guided the Eagles to their second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A individual team state crown Saturday evening.

Avery County placed a distant second with 70 points, followed by Voyager Academy (56), perennial power Alleghany (53) and Uwharrie Charter Academy (48).

"Every wrestler did amazing," said Jordan Todd, who emerged as the 132-pound state champion and is the newest member of the program's Century Club (100 career wins).

"We were able to finish strong."

Strategy for this tournament started two weeks earlier.

Edmundson and his coaching staff sat down with Timothy Decatur, who won the 113-pound state title as a freshman. The group decided what weight class Decatur would compete in during regional and state competition.

Decatur chose 120 pounds.

"I asked why and he said, 'because it would help the team and open up 113 for Chris Hill,'" Edmundson said. "There is little doubt that Timothy would have won his second state title, but he said he wanted to go where the tougher competition was and help the team. That's the epitome of selflessness."

Decatur ended up third.

Hill finished state-runner to two-time defending state champ Nick Daggett of Chatham Central.

Christian Decatur lost by injury default (time expired) to Uwharrie Charter Academy's Hayden Waddell at 106 pounds. Senior Louis Tortual claimed third-place honors at 138 pounds with a 7-3 decision over Neuse Charter's Alexander Gonzalez.

"Louis has steadily improved through his career and set a goal to make it to the state tournament this season," Edmundson said. "It was Louis' first tournament finals of the year."

Reid Amodeo logged a 1-2 worksheet at 126 pounds. His claimed a forfeit during the wrestle-back portion of the two-day tournament.

Jayden Thomas emerged victorious over Mt. Airy's Christopher Butera in his opening-round, but fell into the consolation bracket and ended his tournament run with a 1-2 mark.

Seth Finney drew two extremely tough -- and talented -- opponents at 152 and concluded the day 0-2.

Before the Parade of Champions began, Edmundson received two awards. He was chosen as the National Wrestling Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year for all divisions in North Carolina, and received the NCHSAA 1-A Coach-of-the-Year plaque from Retro Rankings.

"I was surprised and humbled," Edmundson said.